Springfield, Ohio – For students desiring to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities, Wittenberg University is excited to announce its newest educational opportunity, the Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA; equivalent to a master’s in social work). The new 3+2 program is in partnership with the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, the top-ranked school of social work at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio.
Preparing students for advanced social work practice in a variety of settings, the MSSA program is designed to address the wide range of skills and functions required of a professional social worker and leader in social change.
“We are excited to enter into this partnership with the Mandel School at Case Western Reserve University,” said Interim Wittenberg Provost Mary Jo Zembar. “We know from research that the need for highly trained social workers is expected to grow by at least 15 percent over the next 10 years, making the need for this type of program essential, as well as offering our students an excellent avenue for success in this critical field.”
Founded in 1915 as America’s first university-affiliated professional graduate school of social work, the Mandel School at CWRU is ranked No. 1 in Ohio and No. 9 in the United States for graduate social work education by U.S. News and World Report. In 2017, it experienced record enrollment in its on-campus and online programs, and Mandel School graduates have a 92 percent employment rate in diverse careers throughout the world.
“This partnership with Wittenberg University continues our commitment to making a top-ranked education at Case Western Reserve more accessible than ever,” said CWRU Provost W.A. “Bud” Baeslack III. “Students make the most of their time at two exemplary institutions of higher education and have unparalleled opportunities to achieve their goals to make this world a better place.”
Introducing the program to Wittenberg students during a sociology spring colloquium will be Nalini McCargar from Mandel School Admissions and Chanteal Hall, a current Mandel School master’s student and 2014 Wittenberg alumna. The colloquium will take place at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 (today), in room 119 of Synod Hall.
Acceptance into the program at CWRU allows Wittenberg students to begin their first year of graduate study in the MSSA during what would normally be their last year of undergraduate study. They will spend two years at CWRU to obtain both a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg and an MSSA from CWRU.
Applicants must complete the necessary credit hours of undergraduate course work and satisfy all of Wittenberg’s general education requirements. Wittenberg students must apply by April 15 during second semester of their third year, for admission to the MSSA program.
Applicants in the 3+2 program must have at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in all courses from the date of admission to Wittenberg. Students who are accepted at CWRU through the program will be registered as graduate students, and all financial aid and scholarships are administered according to Mandel School policies. The Mandel School awards scholarship support to nearly 100 percent of on-campus students.
The MSSA program is accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE). CWRU’s groundbreaking social work curriculum is divided into two levels: generalist and advanced practice. Paths of study include aging; substance use disorders and recovery; children, youth and families; health; mental health; and community practice for social change. Students can also create an individualized path of study, such as in international social work or trauma. School social work is available as a special emphasis.
Students applying for the MSSA program must be interviewed by the admission office at the Mandel School. Interested students must also speak with an advisor in psychology or sociology before beginning the dual program between Wittenberg University and CWRU.
For more information on the MSSA, visit www.wittenberg.edu/admission or http://socialwork.case.edu
-Office of University Communications-
About Wittenberg
Repeatedly recognized by the Princeton Review for its professor accessibility, superior classroom experience and longstanding commitment to sustainability, Wittenberg is a nationally ranked university for the liberal arts and sciences affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A leader in providing an active, engaged learning environment defined by excellence in academics, innovation, student success, service and athletics, Wittenberg was recently named one of Forbes’ Top 50 Most Entrepreneurial Colleges. Additionally, the university currently has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any other four-year institution in the state and recently earned a spot on the “Best Buy” list in the 2017 Fiske Guide to Colleges. For more information, visit www.wittenberg.edu.